A
cross-sectional study of
risk factors, associated
complications and
nerve conduction studies on
diabetic polyneuropathy was conducted on 68 diabetics with and without clinical evidence of
polyneuropathy in Mandalay
General Hospital over a 9-month study period.
Diabetic polyneuropathy was seen in older
age groups. the duration of diabetes is a significant
risk fator for
diabetic polyneuropathy. there was no
association with
fasting blood sugar levels,
smoking,
hypertension and hypercholestrolaemia in our study.
Diabetic polyneuropathy has increased
association with retinopathy, though ischaemic
heart disease and nephropathy have no
association in our study. On performing
nerve conduction studies,
diabetic polyneuropathy patients have significantly lower
nerve conduction velocity than those without
polyneuropathy. Subclinical
polyneuropathy was detected in 15 per cent of diabetic cases, without clinical evidence of
polyneuropathy. It is concluded that early
detection of diabetic subclinical
polyneuropathy is possible with electrophysiologic studies. Early
detection of subclinical
polyneuropathy and early
detection and alleviation of
risk factors and intensive
therapy to control
blood glucose may prevent irreversible nerve damage and associated
complications.